Clean all public toilets under the management of Municipal Corporation immediately and fix the responsibility

A letter written to the Municipal Commissioner by Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad regarding the predicament of public toilets in Kolhapur

Plight of public toilets and lavatories in different areas in Kolhapur

Kolhapur, 13^th January – Toilets are the most essential things in any city and they should be in good, and clean condition. Even then, in Kolhapur, which is a ‘Shatipeeth’ among the three and half ‘Shaktipeeth’ and takes pride in being the city of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi Temple, it has been observed that the public toilets in many areas of the city, such as municipal corporation, Bindu Chowk, Mumbai High Court’s Circuit Bench, Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital, railway station area, Shahpuri, Rajarampuri; besides many important and crowded places, are in a very bad condition. On inquiry, the municipal corporation replied that the employees from the health department clean the toilets; however, on seeing the condition of toilets, it is difficult to believe if anyone has been cleaning the toilets. Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad (HVP) has written a letter to the Municipal Commissioner demanding that the public toilets should be immediately cleaned and there should be a proper assignment of this job since it is an important matter linked to the health of the people of Kolhapur. The cause of such predicament should be identified and action should be taken against the concerned staff.

Demands made by HVP’s national president advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar in the letter

1. The Municipal Corporation should promptly inspect the condition of all public toilets and lavatories and carry out necessary repairs.

2. Boards should be displayed for people to know their location. The expenses should be recovered from the contractors entrusted the job of their maintenance.

3. Inquiry should be conducted into the administrative officers responsible for such carelessness and disregard for public health and the guilty officers should be fined.

Editorial Perspectives

Why is a letter required demanding action ? Can the Municipal Corporation not do even such basic duty without demand ?

How can the municipal administration fail to notice the dilemma despite having all machinery at its disposal ? If the primary and basic amenity like public toilets is in such a bad shape, one cannot imagine the condition of other things. What are the administrative officers doing who are paid salaries from the tax paid by the people ? Stern action is expected against the responsible staff.